It is so hard to watch an older pet deteriorate. If you and your veterinarian are doing all you can to make Teddy comfortable and he is not happy then it may be time to start thinking about letting him go. In dogs it is about quality of life. What are the things Teddy likes to do? For many dogs eating, going for walks, playing with toys, sitting with you, or even lifting their head when you walk into a room are ways to assess quality of life. When dogs are not able to do these things--the things that make their life enjoyable then it is time to consider euthanasia. Part of your veterinarian's job is to help you decide when the right time is for euthanasia--when you have exhausted all medical means to keep Teddy comfortable and happy. Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns. Euthanasia can be a last gift we give to our dear friends--it ends their suffering and allows then to pass on with dignity.
Teddy Has Cushing's, Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, Vestibular Disease, And Who Knows What Else. We Were Dealing With It All, But Now The Eyes Have Started Darting. What Can I Do?
Hi - it is so hard when our best friends get old. I have a 15 year old Belgian Tervuren and I started giving him Rimadyl. Within a week of the first dose he began showing signs of Vestibular. After repeated episodes of vestibular over the course of a month, I took him off the Rimadyl, and he has not had an episode since. It's been about 2 months now. Also, about 2 years ago I had a 13 year old husky that had cancer. I had given her Rimadyl as well for pain, and she immediately developed vestibular. Unfortunately, I didn't make the connection to Rimadyl at that time. She couldn't walk and had the darting eyes as well. We sent her on her way to Rainbow Bridge, and I wish I would have made the connection between the Vestibular and the Rimadyl at least to experiment and take her off of it like I thought to with my Belgian. I think you are doing the right thing to let your decision rest on your dogs appetite. To me, if he wants to eat, he wants to live. Also, I have another senior Eskimo that has a severe case of cushings. They have a new med out called Trylosane (sp?) that is about $51 a month with minimal side affects. Good luck, and you'll know when its time.